– Updated on October 21, 2024
Risperdal, initially approved for use only in schizophrenic adults in 1990’s, has been linked to gynecomastia in young males. The drug also has a black box warning against use with the elderly patients.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a physical condition that can cause extreme mental suffering in males. This condition causes the male breast tissue to enlarge and appear as female breasts. It can happen in one breast or both. Males who take Risperdal have developed gynecomastia. Although Risperdal lists gynecomastia as a side effect, it does not discuss the severe psychological effects that may be experienced. It can also cause a child to be bullied.
What Is A Black Box Warning?
Risperdal also comes with a black box warning. This is something used to call attention to something very specific about a particular drug. In the case of Risperdal, the black box warning alerts healthcare professionals and the public that using the drug with the elderly has an increased risk of death.
Why The Listed Side Effect And Black Box Warning Matter
You’ve probably noticed television commercials from drug injury lawyers that discuss Risperdal lawsuits and wonder why listed side effects and a black box warning matter. After all, if a pharmaceutical manufacturer tells people about risks, shouldn’t that be enough?
No. It is not enough, particularly when discussing Risperdal. In 1993, Risperdal received approval by the FDA. Approval was limited to one specific class of patients: adults with schizophrenia. Yet, over the next 13 years, Risperdal was prescribed for both children and the elderly.
Before the drug was approved for use in 2006 for children and the elderly in limited circumstances, increased numbers of death were reported in the elderly and plaintiffs began to contact drug injury lawyers to find out what they could do about their child being diagnosed with gynecomastia as a result of taking Risperdal. Risperdal was only approved in 2006 for children with Autism with a positive history of aggression. However, the drug was prescribed for numerous issues, including bipolar disorder.
In 2013, the Department of Justice fined Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson & Johnson, more than $2 billion for illegal marketing practices in relation to children and the elderly.
Gynecomastia Treatment
Young males who suffer from gynecomastia may qualify for treatment. Sometimes, treatment is as simple as switching drugs. However, there are other times when surgery is required. Regardless of the way that Risperdal-induced gynecomastia must be treated, people and their families must also deal with the long lasting psychological effects.
Protect Your Legal Rights
If your child developed gynecomastia as a result of taking Risperdal or if an elderly member of your family was hurt or died as a result of it, you should contact a Risperdal lawyer right away to have your potential claim evaluated.
Goldwater Law Firm provides free evaluations of Risperdal-induced gynecomastia claims and claims of injury and wrongful death related to the drug. We are expert drug injury attorneys and we are here to help. Call us right away.
The Goldwater Law Firm is on mission to help as many people as possible with the fierce, compassionate legal aid only The Gold Standard of Injury Law can offer. If you suffered serious side effects or were diagnosed with an illness because of a defective drug or product, or if you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, Attorney Bob Goldwater and the Goldwater Law Firm is ready to serve as your compassionate partner in the fight to seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
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